The use of fluid to help manage many industrial processes has become invaluable. Industries such as automotive, oil drilling, mining, and construction...
The use of fluid to help manage many industrial processes has become invaluable. Industries such as automotive,
oil drilling, mining, and construction rely on many hydraulic processes, and an important component of them is hydraulic motors. These are more energy efficient than many other kinds of motors, including electric and fuel powered ones. Any energy of the fluid passed through the system is converted into mechanical energy by the motor.
Motors and pumps are integral to many industrial processes. The buildings we see, the products that are manufactured, and the oil that is refined would all not be possible if it weren’t for them. Hydraulic motors can act as pumps when powered mechanically, and are often interchangeable with them. Most of these motors can be operated in the reverse direction to make this possible. Therefore, they are extremely versatile.
They are used in many construction vehicles, military vehicles, cranes, rigs, and for operating winches. Such motors are suitable for operating braking systems of large vehicles. The applications are so numerous that manufacturers have to select carefully when ordering motors for their equipment. There are also several different types.
A vane motor is one type. This is used in rotating systems and has a bore inside the housing that generates mechanical energy. There are blades inside the vane which come in contact with pressurized fluid. This process enables the vane to rotate, thus torque is generated. Another popular type is an axial piston motor, in which the piston generates energy, while the high pressure forces this piston to move into the motor chamber and produce torque.
Motors can also use pistons mounted radially about a central axis. This is just another way they can generate energy. Each type might be dictated by the application the motor is going to be used in, but there are several operating parameters to consider when selecting one. The specific range of torque, pressure, temperature, speed, and maximum fluid viscosity of the motor are important features to note. Its pressure will tell exactly what range of fluid pressure the motor is designed to operate in, and if exceeded, could cause enough damage to render the motor inoperable. The operating temperature and speed should be thought of similarly. Too low or too high, and the motor and the entire system will not operate properly.
Other technical specifications to look for include the type of shaft the motor uses, as well as the shaft length. It is also important to consider how the motor is mounted, what its pressure rating is, and RPMs, or how many revolutions per minute it is capable of. The dimensions of the motor are just as significant, as this will need to be known in order to calculate how the device will physically fit into the mechanical system.
All of these can be determined by looking on the product page of suppliers online. With hydraulic motors being so common, the details are usually fairly easy to find and understand. Online order placement and shipping make it easier to obtain products, reducing the time and effort in acquiring equipment and the time it takes to arrive on site. Also when placing an order it is important to consider whether the motors comply with industry regulations, if any accessories are required, and if alternate products can be considered.
Hydraulic motors come in many forms and are suitable for a wide variety of purposes. Most of the products in existence are made by systems that likely use such motors. It would be impossible to pump oil, operate industrial machinery, or construct buildings efficiently if a fluid-powered motor couldn’t be used.
